Make the New York Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act a reality.
We are thrilled to support the New York Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act, recently introduced in the New York Senate. This critical piece of legislation aims to safeguard tropical forests and the rights of communities while providing much-needed support to small and medium-sized businesses and minority- and women-owned businesses to enhance their supply chain sustainability. To ensure this vital legislation gets passed, organisations are coming together and submitting a memo of support for the bill to New York legislative leadership. We have written and submitted an email and encourage you to do so too. Contact us if you want more information.
Companies beyond the state of New York have an essential voice in supporting this; laws passed there will be part of the global trend by governments, civil society, and industry to solve the global deforestation crisis. If you are a resident of the USA, you can sign your support of this bill in less than a minute.
Why is this bill important?
Tropical deforestation is one of the major contributors to climate change and biodiversity loss, and the interconnected crises of climate and biodiversity do not respect national borders.
Deforestation in the tropics has far-reaching consequences, affecting citizens across the globe, including those in New York state. The increase in global temperatures contributes to more frequent extreme weather events that devastate communities, while the loss of biodiversity from deforestation compromises food security and public health. Climate change disproportionately affects people of color, people in poverty, and Indigenous Peoples, and we must act to address this injustice.
Why is this bill relevant to Vizzuality and the work we create?
At Vizzuality, we have worked with global research organizations, scientists, and environmental practitioners for over a decade. We have seen firsthand how technology and science can effectively empower governments, citizens, and businesses to reduce environmental impacts. Today, tools such as Global Forest Watch and Trase can accurately monitor and prevent deforestation and expose its links to agricultural supply chains from farms to supermarket shelves.
Companies wishing to reduce their environmental impacts already use the science and technology underpinning them. Services like LandGriffon make it easier than ever for companies to reduce the impact of their supply chains and comply with regulations.
Why are we, as an international company, signing our support for legislation in New York?
We recognize that technology alone cannot solve the problem. We fully endorse the need for sound policies and regulations to help companies become more sustainable while creating a level playing field for all, including small businesses and minorities.
The New York Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act is part of a global trend by governments, civil society, and industry to address the global deforestation crisis. Similar initiatives are underway in the EU, UK, and other US states, and businesses large and small are increasingly recognizing fair and ambitious regulation as a crucial aid in their sustainability efforts.
This act will be a stepping stone for other countries and states to take action and hope it becomes law. When it does, we will be delighted to contribute as much as possible to its successful implementation.
We remain committed to promoting sustainability and protecting our planet’s natural resources. We would like you to join us in supporting this vital legislation and working together towards a more sustainable future for all. Harness your power as an organisation to push for nature-positive policies. Get in touch if you need any support on this.
We want to recognise the invaluable work of NGOs in pushing this forward, such as Friends of the Earth, who encouraged us to write this blog and send our letter of support to the New York legislative leadership.
